Really worried~ help with bailiff appreciated!

fatbelly

Hi Penny

I saw your earlier post but (like others I guess) I decided to stand back. Bailiffs collecting Magistrates Court Criminal fines are a special case and Herbie21 is our resident expert. Hopefully, she's subscribed to this thread and will contact you tomorrow.

Although the bailiff has the power in these circumstances (and only in these circumstances) to force entry, the power has to be used responsibly and is rarely used in practice.

Goods are almost never removed anyway, they are merely levied against as a lever to get you to pay.

It's more likely that they will be looking to clamp the car. Might be an idea to park it out of the way somewhere.

At some point this will return to the court and hopefuuly you can get agreement to pay in instalments.

pennyfrog

Thank you for responding, fatbelly.
Excuse my ignorance- but what exactly happens when goods are levied? How long have we then got to try and pay? Someone mentioned to me not long ago that's it's only a matter of a week or so- which is REALLY scary.

This woman sounds like she really means business.

My head feels like it's going in circles!!!! I'm so sorry to be a complete whingebucket, folks.

divadeb_3

Hiya, can I just say I know exactly how you feel. My situation is alot different as I owe a shortfall in a mortgage repossession on £41,000.00 and I have been summons to court in April. I feel like you do, my head is in a spin and my poor stomach feels like its on a spin cycle and I cant concentrate on anything. I, like you are trying to get as much info as I can. Have you rang the national debt line or the CAB ?? If you want to pm me I can give you some free info. I can tell you not to worry, but if your like me you will, I say "you cant give them what you have'nt got". Your not alone XX

chevalier

Hi there
Is there anyone you can swallow your pride with and basically beg for the money? If you are not disputing the debt, telling parents about it no matter how embarassing/humiliating is surely better than going through the mill.

can't think of anything else to suggest that hasn't already been suggested, except keep door and windows shut at all times.

chev

MrsTinks

divadeb - unfortunately pennyfrogs situation is a little different from yours and needs dealing with by Herbie21 or robertmuir - these 2 really are our resident bailiff experts and because a distress warrent issued this is more serious than first being summoned to court where a CCJ will probably be issued - only once a CCJ is defaulted will a bailiff get authorisation to go after the debt.

Penny - if need be then there is a number on bailiff advice online's website you can call to get a hold of Herbie.

I think in answer to when goods are levied then the bailiff gives you an amount of time to pay up - I don't think there is a standard time frame - and when they loose patience then they will take what has been levied - once fees have been deducted you'll be lucky if it covers the warrent unfortunately and so the merry dance goes on... please contact Herbie again ASAP.

pennyfrog

It helps knowing that others are out there- soppy though that may sound.
Herbie sent me a pm at the end of last week and I've been in contact. I think I need to wait for Herbie to see my replies first, 'cos I contacted her just before the weekend.
I didn't want those who advised me to contact Herbie to think I hadn't bothered!
divadeb- I'm not happy about your situation, obviously- but it's good to know that others understand this horrible feeling. I woke up this morning with that 'Another Monday- another scary week ahead' sinking sensation in the pit of my stomach.
I seem to swing between wanting to go and hide in a cave somewhere and getting angry at myself for being so feeble!

To all those who are going through their own financial horrors at the moment- stay strong. I feel for you and I know so many others do too.

pennyfrog

Just wondered if anyone knows what can levied and what that entails?

Hard to know what to do with things. Where we live is in a sort of 'courtyard' ara away from the main roads and the car park here is a private one for residents, all with our own marked spaces plus visitor spaces. parking on the roads isn't permitted around here and the nearest place to park is the local supermarket. Although it's not that far away from us, I'm not sure if we can park there indefinitely on the off chance that the bailiff may show up. Better than getting the car clamped, of course- but very difficult to workout what to do.
If she comes and the car isn't around, what do I do if she asks me about a car?
Also, can she take my chiildren's things? I have a horrible feeling she'll take their games consoles (which they bought with their own money- my son with his birthday money and my daughter bought hers 2nd hand).
Not knowing when she'll show up is horrible. Do I take the consoles and other things away with nowhere to store them for more than a day (we haven't lived here that long and don't know anyone well enough to ask them to take things into their house.)
Every time I hear a vehicle outside, my heart starts thumping and whenever I hear footsteps coming closer outside, I feel sick.
Having a 'feeble' day again, I'm afraid!

Olivia_Jones

As far as i am aware,bailiffs cannot take items belonging to children,but please do get this confirmed with Herbie21.

I have had problems with bailiffs,they are a nuisance and you do feel really sick with the thought of them coming around,luckily i managed to sort my situation with them out and i am sure that you can aswell.Good luck x

fatbelly

Hi Penny

What's your OH doing about this? It's his fine, for his offence, yet you seem to be the one doing the research and the worrying.

How much can you (he) afford to pay each month towards the fine?

I understand that bailiffs themselves can accept payment over a period of six months, so £180 per month in your case. Is that in any way do-able?

pennyfrog

Hi fatbelly

OH has been making enquiries- but I've got more time in the day to do more of the donkey work. he's trying to sort out money and I'm trying to sort out the 'what to do' bit. I'm worried really, as I'll be the one here with my daughter if she shows up during the day.

This bailiff seems really stubborn- she's made it clear that she won't accept any installments at all. The last I heard was that a locksmith had been called and I was to contact her. Not sure of the point, if she won't listen and there is no way we have that sort of money in one go- nor anyone to borrow it from. Believe me, we've thought of every alternative possible!

I did contact her though and ask what our 'deadline' was as I'd rather not have my daughter around and we have a dog who is terrified of starngers in the home and will bark and growl and become very stressed- so I'd rather make sure she's out of the way. I pointed these things out in my message to the bailiff as well as confirming that recorded delivery letters had gone to court. I also asked what damage was likely to be done to the door. So far no response- so clearly she's going to ignore all but 'have the money' messages.

Does anyone know if Herbie's ok? She left a message saying she'd ring a couple of days back but never did and hasn't responded to my email or last pm. I expect she's very busy so I don't want to hassle her- but I wondered if anyone knows if she's away.

I really don't know what to do.